Microprocessor controller and method of initializing and controlling low air loss floatation mattress

Abstract

An air pressurization and control system for a low air loss air floatation mattress or cushion is disclosed. The control system controls air supplied to the air floatation mattress within a range of pressures and flowrates so as to inflate all of the cells of the mattress and to maintain a flow of air to all of the cells over an extended period of time while maintaining all of the cells at a desired level of inflation for the air floatation support of the patient without any of the cells exerting decubitus pressures above the maximum desired decubitus pressure and so as to prevent collapse of any of the cells. A sensor is provided for sensing the pressure of the air within the common supply. The controller includes a microprocessor for initializing the controller to a particular patient to be supported by the mattress and for the air floatation support of the patient over an extended period of time without exceeding a maximum decubitus pressure on any portion of the person's body in contact with the mattress and without permitting any of the cells to collapse. The initializing procedure comprises inflating the mattress with the person supported thereon and determining when at least one of the cells becomes fully inflated thereby determining a maximum inflation pressure not to be exceeded during the course of treatment and then deflating the mattress and determining the pressure at which at least one of the cells collapses thereby determining a lower pressure level above which pressure within the mattress is to be maintained during the course of treatment. The controller monitors the pressure of the air supplied to the common source and regulates operation of the source of pressurized air so as to be at a predetermined pressure between the minimum and the maximum pressure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.